Equipment for producing bubble baths



Aug. 22, 1961 E. LEFMANN 2,997,285

EQUIPMENT FDR PRODUCING BUBBLE BATHS Filed Nov. 28, 1958 FIG.

FIG. 4

5 2a c 2 a INVENTOR. EMMH LEF W mama S. sflMe Z Mam/aw United StatesPatent 2397.285 EQUIPMENT FOR PRODUCING BUBBLE BATHS Emma Lefmann, Anden Kellern 33, Erlangen, Germany Filed Nov. 28, 1958, Ser. No. 776,809Claims priority, application Germany Sept. 17, 1958 '1 Claim. (Cl.261-124) ment which may be placed in a bath tub or the like forproducing the bubble bath.

To this end, the invention provides a bubble-producing mat which may beplaced upon the bottom of the tub and upon which the user or patient mayrecline, and from which the bubbles may rise as from a multitude of jetorifices or other gas release passage means producing the desired bubbleefiect in the bath.

The mat comprising a plurality of spaced parallel flexible airdistributing conduits for releasing air or another gas into the bath isso constructed that it may be compactly rolled up and convenientlystored. Preferably, these conduits extend transversely of the mat inalternation with panels also extending transversely of the mat.

More particularly, the invention provides a bubbleproducing matfeaturing an arrangement in which a plurality of transverse panel unitsconsisting of a synthetic material capable of adapting itself to thebottom of the tub, are arranged edgewise side by. side in sequencealthough slightly spaced from one another. Combined with these panelunits are gas supplying hose means adapted to release bubbles fromorifices or the like, extending in and along the spaces betweenrespective panel units so that the panel units alternate with interposedportions of the gas releasing hose located between respective edges ofadjoining panel units. For example, flexible connecting means of asuitable tough synthetic material may be so arranged that they willinterconnect the hose portions and the panels so as to constitute thebubble producing mat.

Preferably, a single length of perforated gas supplying hose is arrangedalong a meandering line engaged by the panel units.

Features lie in the provision of flexible linear connecting means orbands arranged to serve the dual purpose of tying the panel units aswell as the interposed hose portions to one another to constitute thebubble producing mat, with the interposed base portion in effect servingas hinging means for the respective panel units when the mat is to berolled up and stored.

Other features lie in the particular shape and construction of the panelunits.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claim. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the bubble producing mat in a preferredembodiment of this invention, showing the elongated panel unitsassembled and interconnected with the gas supplying hose means.

G. 2 is an enlarged end view of a single panel unit taken on line 22 inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side edge view of the panel unit taken on line 3-3 of thepanel unit shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 in FIG.1, showing more clearly the linear connecting means whereby the panelunits and the gas supplying hose are interconnected.

Referring to the drawings, the bubble producing mat according to anembodiment exemplary of the invention, comprises a plurality or sequenceof elongate panel units or panels 1 arranged in a common plane edgewiseside by side and somewhat spaced from one another in such a manner as toaccommodate a single flexible gas supplyinghose 2 in the spaces betweenthe row of coplanar panel units.

There are shown in this example a convenient number of six such panelunits 1, the shape of each of which in plan view is defined by a pair ofparallel longitudinal sides 1a and semi-circular rounded ends 1b. Alength of gas supplying hose 2 in the example of FIG. 1 is shown to beof a continuous length extending in a meandering path and in the planeof the panels whereby it provides straight hose portions 2a interposedbetween the longitudinal edges of respective adjoining panel units, andcurved or rounded portions 2b, engaging and hugging respective roundedends 1b of the panel units.

The gas supplying hose in this arrangement has along the length thereofgas passage release means or gas discharging openings -for emitting intothe bath any suitable gas for therapeutic treatment, for example, air,carbon dioxide or oxygen, this being indicated by openings 20 spacedalong the effective length of this hose.

As may be seen from FIGS. 2 and 4, the panel units have parallellongitudinal hollow spaces 10, as well as apertures 1:1 in the edgeportions and in the wall portions that separate the hollow spaces orliquid receiving chambers from one another. In this way each panel unitis provided with a pair of parallel transversely extending passagesacross the longitudinal spaces, for the purpose of receiving linearconnecting elements or bands which may be of a tough flexible syntheticmaterial whereby the panel units as well as the interposed gas supplyinghose portions may be interconnected. Accordingly (see FIGS. 1 and 4) apair of linear flexible connecting elements or hands B and B of suchmaterial, extend through these transverse passages, parallel to oneanother and from end to end of the bubble producing mat, the ends of thebands B and B being fastened to or anchored in a pair of respectiveterminal panel units T and T respectively. As shown, each of theseterminal panel units may constitute one-half of a panel unit 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the linear flexible connecting element B hasstraight portions b extending through respective panel units,alternating with loop shaped portions b through which in turn passrespective hose portions 2a. The construction and mounting of the otherlinear flexible connecting element B is the same.

The perforated gas supplying hose 2 as herein illustrated has aperforated entrance end portion E located between the terminal halfpanel unit T and the adjacent full-sized panel unit 1, and it has aperforated terminal portion E located between the terminal half-panelunit T and the adjacent full-sized panel unit 1. The entrance endportion E of the gas supplying hose has an extension S terminating in asuitable fitting or connector 3 by means of which it may be connected toa suitable source of therapeutic gas under pressure. By means of thisterminal fitting 3, the hose extension S may also be connected to asource of compressed air conveniently available for instance from a homevacuum cleaner or the like when the same is operated for blowing insteadof for suction, whereby the need for an expensive compressor unit orbottled compressed air is obviated.

With respect to the panel units 1, it should be noted that in apreferred form they consist of a synthetic ma- Patented Aug. 22, 19 1terial which at the temperature of the bath may become readily deformedin such a manner that it will mold or adjust itself to the contour ofthe bottom of the bath or tub, but-will resume its normal shape whenremoved from the bath. The panel units constructed in accordance withthe invention are prevented from floating by water filling the hollowlongitudinal spaces or chambers in the panel so that the row ofinterconnected panels is submerged in a body of liquid when the mat isplaced into a bath tub or like receptacle.

In distinction from wood as a material for the mat, which may becomeslippery or slimy, and also in distinction from parts made of steeltending to corrode or rust and to deteriorate, the synthetic materialfrom which the panel units are made according to this invention isunobjectionable hygienically and "otherwise, and it may be readilycleaned in a convenient and expeditious manner.

When so constructed in accordance with this invention the bubbleproducing mat has a durability which is practically unlimited, and sinceit may be rolled up into a compact bundle, its storage requirements areminimized.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofbubble producing mats difiering from the type described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in abubble producing mat composed of panel units and gas hoseportionsarranged in' alternation and extending transversely of the mat, it isnot intended to be limited to the details shown, since'variousmodifications and structural changes may be made without departing inany way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully" reveal the gistof the present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claim. What is claimed as new and desired to be secured byLetters Patent is:

A bubble producing mat insertable into a body of liquid for providing abubble bath for therapeutic and like purposes, said mat comprising, incombination, a plurality of elongated coplanar panels consisting of anelastic material, said panels arranged side by side in a row, slightlyspaced from each other, and formed with aligned transversely extendingpassages extending between opposite edges thereof; a single gassupplying flexible hose of elastic material extending in a meanderingpath between and in the plane of the spaced panels so that the panelsalternate with interposed portions of said hose, said hose formed with aplurality of gas discharging openings; and flexible connecting meansextending through said transversely extending passages and secured toeach of said interposed hose portions so that said hose portions andsaid panels are connected to each other and'that said row of panels maybe folded along each interposed hose portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,521,143 Weber Dec. 30, 1924 1,775,942 Millmather Sept. 16, 19302,063,480 Braem Dec.'8, 1936 2,848,203 Misiura Aug. 19, 1958 FOREIGNPATENTS 117,459 Austria a Apr. 25, 1930 433,629 Italy Apr. 10, 1948

